Sprinkler system with pressure tank water supply



July 21, 1942. H. N. RIDER 2,290,358 SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE TANK WATER SUPPLY Filed Aug. '21, 1.940 4 Sheets-Sheet l Zmventor H-ARKY l1. RID'ER C(ttomeg J y 2 1, 1942- E H. N. RIDER 2,290,358

SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE TANK WATER SUPPLY Filed Aug. 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nnentor Y #fiRRY l1. RlDi-R I attorney Jul 21, 1942. RlDER 2,290,358

SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE TANK WATER SUPPLY Filed Aug. 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ill v l'mventor HARRY I1. R ID'ER Gttomeg July 21, 1942. H. N. RIDER 2,290,358

SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE TANK WATER SUPPLY Filed Aug. 21, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 nncntor HARRY n. R|DE R I Gttorncg Patented July 21, 1942 I SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE TANK WATER SUPPLY Harry N. Rider, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to Automatic Sprinkler Company of America, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application August 21, 1940, Serial No. 353,466

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a pressure tank water supply sprinkler system for use where the cost of a city water connection is excessive or where the city water supply is undependable.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a pressure tank water supply sprinkler system wherein air under pressure in the water supply tank of the system serves to force the fire extinguishing fluid therefrom at such times as the sprinkler system goes into operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure tank water supply sprinkler system wherein the sprinkler piping and a portion of the water supply tank are filled with compressed air and placed in communication so that the air pressure in both the tank and the sprinkler system piping is equalized.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure tank water supply sprinkler system so designed that a portion of the main Cir riser of the sprinkler system including an alarm check valve is filled with fire extinguishing fluid so that the system in effect includes a wet pipe valve in a dry pipe distributing system.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure tank water supply sprinkler system that is self-contained and self-operated and that will give a positive alarm in the event of the operation of the system and that will control any fire that would be controlled by existing automatic fire extinguishing apparatus of the pressure tank type, and further requires no gravity tank and water supply connections other than the filling connection incorporated therewith.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure tank water supply sprinkler system which may be utilized as a Wet pipe system wherein the sprinkler piping is filled with a desirable fire extinguishing fluid and which may be placed in operation, as in controlling a fire, by either the opening of an automatic sprinkler associated therewith or by a thermostat system, portions of which extend into the fire zones.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts broken away showing in detail the essential operating portions of the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevation showing in detail a pressure operated switch used in the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional elevation of a solenoid air valve used in the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram symbolically illustrating the various interconnected electrical parts of the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional side elevation showing in detail an alarm check valve used in the pressure tank Water supply sprinkler system.

By referring to the drawings and Figures 1 and 2 in particular it will be observed that the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system comprises a pressure tank In which in normal operation is approximately two thirds filled with fire extinguishing liquid as indicated by the dotted lines on Figure 1. This pressure tank I0 is provided with a discharge orifice on the bottom thereof which communicates through suitable piping including a drain and fill connection H with a riser [2 which in turn communicates with and forms a part of a system of sprinkler piping including a plurality of sprinklers one of which is indicated by the numeral I3. Positioned in the riser l2 and onapproximately the same plane as the pressure tank I0 there is a main gate valve l4, normally open, and an alarm check valve l5 the operating portions of which are beneath the average fluid level of the pressure tank [0 as shown in order that the clapper ISA and pilot valve I5B thereof will be submerged with water when the tank is filled to its proper level. Details of construction of the alarm check valve l5 may be seen by referring to Figure 6, it being observed that fluid entering the alarm check valve l5 through the opening in the bottom thereof will cause the clapper |5A to rise from its seat and as a portion of the clapper structure carries the pilot valve I5B, the same is, therefore, opened and thus permits the fluid under pressure to enter the communicating piping 21 and actuate the pressure operated switch associated therewith. In order that the riser l2 and associated sprinkler piping above the alarm check valve [5 as well as the area within the upper portion of the pressure tank It] may be filled with compressed air and the pressure between the two equalized, intercommunicating piping I6 is positioned between the riser l2 and the tank It and communicates with the riser 12 at a point substantially above the ordinary water level and includes as a part thereof a check valve ll provided to prevent the introduction of air from the tank into the riser when fire extinguishing fluid is flowing through the system. In order to equalize the system and tank pressures, a bypass line I8 is connected around the check valve I! and incorporates a solenoid operated air valve IQ which is of a type, as may be seen by referring to the detail view thereof in Figure 4' of the drawings, wherein the air passage therethrough is open at such times as the solenoid valve is energized which in the present disclosure is at all times except when the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system is in active operation controlling a fire. Details of construction and mode of operation of this solenoid air valve I9 may be seen by referring to Figure 4 of the drawings wherein a detail View of the same is shown it being observed that an air or gas passage therethrough is controlled by a needle valve which in turn comprises a part of the solenoid which is electrically energized so as to hold the needle valve in elevated position and thus opening the air passage therethrough as will be more fully developed herein.

In order that a visual means of determining the correct fluid level in the water supply pressure tank H] as well as that portion of the riser I2 as is customarily filled with liquid, a sight gauge 20 is included in the system and is positioned between the tank Hi and a valve connection 2! communicating with the piping I6 and bypass'piping I 8 so that the fluid level within the tank H] and the riser I2 is accurately indicated thereby. As is customary, the valve 2| and a secondary valve 22 serve to control the entrance of liquid into the sight gauge.

In order that the air may be introduced into the upper area of the pressure tank IE] and the sprinkler piping system the discharge orifice of an air compressor 23, electrically driven, including a magnetic starting switch 23A, is connected therewith by means of piping 24 communicating with the piping l6 by way of a check valve 25 and a pressure release valve 25 so that air from the air compressor 23 may flow through the piping 24, the check valve 25, and the release valve 26 and enter the riser l2 and the assciated sprinkler system piping, or enter the pressure tank H] by way of the piping IE passing through the check valve ll positioned therein as well as a manual control valve positioned adjacent thereto. It will thus be observed that at such times as the sprinkler system is not delivering fire extinguishing fluid the fluid level is maintained in the tank at the correct level, and the area thereabove within the tank and the system of sprinkler piping is filled with air under pressure which air pressure within the tank serves to expell the fluid therefrom through the system of sprinkler piping at such time as a fire causes one of the sprinklers l3 to open. When this occurs the air pressure within the sprinkler system including the riser l2 drops rapidly which resultsin the rapid delivery of fire extinguishing fluid from the tank Hi through action of the check valve l1 and the closing of the solenoid air valve [9 upon its deenergization which is caused by reason of fluid under pressure entering the alarm valve 15 thus causing the alarm valve, l5 and its associated pilot valve to open and permit the fluid under pressure to enter the communicating piping 27 and actuate a pressure operated switch 28 associated therewith. Details of construction and the mode of operation ofthis pressure operated switch 28 may be seen by referring to Figure 3, it being observed that fluid'pressure introduced thereinto' effec tively moves a switch carrying plunger breaking one circuit and establishing another. In actual operation this pressure operated switch 28 deenergizes the solenoid a-ir valve 19 permitting it to close and simultaneously actuates the magnetic switch 23A which forms a part of the electric driven air compressor 23 so as to deenergize the same, thusinsuring that the air compressor 23 will not operate at such times as the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system is delivering fire extinguishing fluid as the introduction of any air into the sprinkler system piping at this time is undesirable. By again referring to the drawings and Figure l in particular it will be observed that an electric alarm pressure gauge 29 communicates with the pressure tank 10 by Way of the piping i6 and also communicates with an automatic pressure operatedswitch for controlling the air compressor 23 by means of a tubular connection 3i]; This electric alarm pressure gauge 29 is of a'standard form and design and is adapted to give an alarm by closing an electric circuit upon a decrease of air pressure in the tank I!) and sprinkler piping thus establishing a dependable low air pressure alarm.

It will thus be observed that the system as illustrated will, upon the outbreak of a fire in the zone protected by one or more of thesprinklers l3, which results in the opening of one or more sprinklers, will cause the rapid reduction of air pressure within the riser l2 and associated sprinkler piping, the reduction of air pressure within the riser l2 and the associated sprinkler piping willirninediately cause the fire extinguishing fluid under pressure in the tank E0 to flow into the riser l2 and thus cause the alarm check valve l5 and its associated pilot valve to open. It willbe observed that the air pressure within the tank 10 willnot be effected in that the check valve H in the communicating piping I6 between the tank Hi and the riser l2" will preventthe passage of air from the tank to the riser and that the-simultaneous closing action of the solenoid air valve l9, as occasioned by the flow of water through the alarm check valve I5 and to the pilot valve controlled pressure switch 28, results in the deenergization of the solenoid air valve and its closing thebypass piping [8 thus the air within the tank H! is effectively shut off from communicationwith the sprinkler system piping and must therefore force the fluid contents of the tank outwardly through the connecting piping and upwardly through the sprinkler system. When this occurs, an electric alarm will be established by reason of the multiple action of the pressure operated switch 28. In order that fire extinguishing fluid flowing through the riser I2 and the connecting piping will not flow backwardly into the tank ID, a check valve IGA is positioned in the topmost portion of the piping l6 adjacent the riser 12 as best shown in Figure l of the drawings.

By referring now to Figure 3 of'the drawings wherein a cross sectional elevation of the pressure operated switch 28 is shown, it will be observed that this switch comprises, in effect, a

hollow body member having an opening 3| at the 1;,

bottom thereof which communicates with the piping 21 and the alarm check valve I of the sprinkler system so that fluid may enter therethrough. Positioned immediately above the opening 3| and opposed with respect to the upper surfaces of the hollow body member by means of a spring 32, there is a plunger 33 the uppermost portion of which is formed of a dielectric material and carries upon the uppermost end thereof a contact pin 34. It will be seen that this pin as well as the plunger 33 upon which it is carried are capable of vertical movement with respect to the body of the pressure operated switch 28 and that the pin in its lower position establishes contact between a pair of brushes thus establishing an electrical circuit between the same which circuit directly controls the air compressor circuit by way of the magnetic switch 23A forming a part thereof and the solenoid air valve l3. By referring to Figure 5 it will be observed that this circuit is illustrated as in normal operation wherein the compressor circuit is energized by way of the magnetic switch 23A and the solenoid air valve i9 is energized and in open position. Referring again to Figure 3 it will be seen that at such time as fluid enters the pressure operated switch 28 by way of the opening 3! and moves the plunger 33 upwardly, the pin 34 will break the circuit between the brushes 35 and establish electrical contact between a secondary pair of brushes 36 which in turn are electrically connected to a suitable alarm. Still referring to Figure 3 of the drawings it will be noted that the plunger 33 is surrounded so as to be enclosed in a collapsible diaphragm 3'! of the bellows type which effectively seals the plunger 33 from the hollow body member of the switch 28 and thus prevents the entrance of fluid thereinto which might otherwise effect the operating efficiency of the pressure operated switch 28.

By referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings wherein a cross sectional elevation of the solenoid air valve [9 is illustrated it will be seen that this valve l9 comprises a base 38 having a pair of tapped openings 39 therein, both of which communicate with a centrally positioned chamber 413 which is closed with respect to the remainder of the solenoid air valve l9, and one of which openings is adapted to be closed so as to prevent the passage of air or gas therethrough by means of a needle valve 4| which in turn is surrounded by an armature 42 and thus forms the operating part of the solenoid air valve IS with respect to a magnetic coil 43 positioned within the upper portion thereof. The valve is so designed that upon energization of the magnetic coil 43 the armature 42 carrying the needle valve 4! is retained in elevated position with relation to one of the tapped openings 39 so that air or gas may pass through the valve freely. As used in the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system this valve I9 is normally energized and is deenergized and thus closed only at such times as the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system goes into operation in delivering fire extinguishing fluid, as has heretofore been explained.

It will be obvious to those versed in the art that modifications of the present system may be made in accordance with the requirements of certain installations which modifications are not only desirable but sometimes essential. For example, the pressure tank water supply sprinkler system shown and described herein can be readily modified to form a Wet pipe system wherein the sprinkler piping is filled with fire extinguishing fluid. In this instance the interconnection and bypass arrangement between the pressure tank I!) and the riser I2 of the system are omitted and the air pressure is retained within the upper portion of the supply tank H]. This system is placed in operation in a manner similar to that already described in the dry pipe system with the exception that the alarm check valve l5 would be caused to open by a reduction of water pressure above the same.

A further modification of the wet pipe system is possible wherein the piping of the distributing system is filled with a calcium chloride solution. In this instance a check valve would be incorporated in the riser immediately above the alarm check valve which would serve to prevent the calcium chloride solution from diffusing with fresh water in the alarm check valve and pressure tank. In other respects the system is the same as that heretofore described. A further desirable modification would result in a system which employs a deluge valve as the control valve and a supplementary releasing system such as that shown and described in the patent to Lowe et a1, #2,099,069. In this instance the pressure tank and the sprinkler piping system are the same as heretofore described, the sprinklers being of either the open or closed type.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressure tank sprinkler system wherein air under pressure is adapted to force fire extinguishing fluid from a supply tank through a distributing system including a riser and a plurality of automatic sprinklers, an alarm check valve positioned in the said riser below the fluid level therein and comprising a body having a relatively free swinging clapper having a pilot valve afiixed thereto so as to prevent the flow of liquid from the riser to the tank, piping communicating with the upper portion of the supply tank and the riser above the fluid level therein so that air pressure therein may be equalized thereby, a solenoid valve for closing said piping at such time as the sprinkler system is delivering fluid through the said distributing system piping and means controlling the said solenoid valve comprising a pressure actuated electrical switch in communication with the body of the said alarm check valve and controlled by the said pilot valve thereof, together with electrical connections between the said switch and the said solenoid valve.

2. In a pressure tank sprinkler system wherein compressed air is adapted to force fire extinguishing fluid from a supply tank through a distributing system including a riser and a plurality of automatic sprinklers, an alarm check valve positioned in the said riser below the fluid level therein and comprising a body having a relatively free swinging clapper positioned therein and including a pilot valve affixed to the said clapper so as to be .actuated by fluid flowing therethrough, a pressure. operated switch in communication with the saidcheck valve body above the said clapper and controlled by the said pilot valve, piping communicating withthe upper portion of the supply tank and the riser, above the fluid level therein so that air pressure in the tank and riser may be equalized thereby, a check valve in the said piping checking the flow of air from the tank to the riser, a bypass around the said check valve, a solenoid air valve controlling the said b-ypassand electrically connected to the said pressure operated switch so as to be actuated thereby.

3. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a normally closed distributing system of a tank for a fire extinguishing fluid, a riser extending from the bottom of the. said tank upwardly to the said system,.and an alarm check valve having a clapper and a pilot valve affixed thereto located in the, said riser below the fluid level thereof, pressure operated means in communication with the said check valve above the said clapper and controlledby the said pilot valve, together with piping connecting the said tank with the said riser above the fluid level therein, a check valve in the said piping checking the flow of air from the tank to the riser, a bypass around the said check valve and a valve controlling the said bypass operatively connected to and subject to actuation by the said pressure operated means.

4. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a normally closed distributing system of a tank for a fire extinguishing fluid, a riser extending from the bottom of the said tank upwardly to the said system, and an alarm check valve having. a clapper and a pilot valve affixed thereto located in the said riser below the fluid level thereof, pressure operated means in communication with the said check valve above the said clapper and controlled by, the said pilot valve, together with piping connecting the said tank with the said riser above the fluid level therein, a valve for closing the said piping at such time as the sprinkler system is delivering fluid through the said distributing system, the. said valve operatively connected to and subject to actuation by the said pressure operated means.

5. In a fire extinguishing apparatus the combination with a normally closed distributing system of a tank for a fire extinguishing fluid, a riser extending from the lower portion of the said tank upwardly to the said system, fluid-flow controlled means located in the said riser, said means adapted to be actuated under the effects of a preponderant pressure on the tank side thereof, means for admitting air under pressure to the tank and the riser above the fluid level therein anda pipe directly connecting the said tank and the said riser above the fluid level therein, a valve for closing the said pipe at such time as the sprinklergsystem is delivering fluid through the said distributing system, the said valve operatively connected to and subject to actuation by the said fluid-flow controlled means.

6. In a fire extinguishing apparatus the combination with a normally closed distributing system of a tank for a fire extinguishing fluid, a riser extending from the lower portion of the said. tank upwardly to the said system, fluid-flow controlled meanslocated in the said riser, said means adapted to be actuated under the effects of a preponderant pressure on the tank side thereof, means for admitting air under pressure to the tank and the riser above the fluid level therein and apipe directly connecting the said tank and the said riser above the fluid level therein, a check valve in the said pipe checking the flow of airv from the tank to the riser, a by-pass around the said check valve and a valve controlling the said by-pass operatively connected to and subject to actuation by the said fluid-flow controlled means.

'7. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a normally closed distributing systemofatankior a .fire extinguishing fluid, a riser extending from the bottom of the said tank upwardlyto the said system, and an alarm check valve having a clapper and a pilot valve affixed thereto located ,in the said riser below the fluid level thereof, a pressure operated switch in communication with the said check valve above the said clapper and controlled by the said pilot valve, together .withpiping connecting the said tank with the said riser above the fluid level therein,.a. check valve in the said piping checking the flow of air from the tank to the riser, a by-pass around the said check valve and a solenoid air valve controlling the said by-pass and electrically connected to the said pressure operated switch so as to be actuated thereby.

8..In a fire extinguishing apparatus, the combination witha normally closed distributing system of a tank fora fire extinguishing fluid, a riser extending from the bottom of the said tank upwardly to the said system, and an alarm check valve having, a clapper and apilot valve affixed thereto located in the said riser below thev fluid level thereof, a pressure operated switch in communication with the said check valve above the said clapper and controlled by the said pilot .valve, together with.piping connecting the said .tank withthe said riser above the fluid level therein, a solenoid valve for closing said piping at such time as the sprinkler system is delivering fluid through. the saiddistributing system, said solenoid valve electrically connected to the said pressure operated switch so as to be actuated thereby.

HARRY N. RIDER. 

